य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम्। उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते
The verse states that the soul itself neither kills anyone nor can it be killed by anyone. It is eternal and beyond the physical acts of killing or being killed.
These verses offer a spiritual view of the enduring self. In a period of loss or change, you can consider that perspective without demanding that grief disappear or neglecting care for your body.
Go deeper into this verse
What does the verse imply about the nature of the body compared to the soul?
The verse implies that while the physical body is perishable and subject to death, the soul is imperishable and eternal. The body is temporary and changes, but the soul remains constant and unaffected by physical destruction.
How might understanding that the soul cannot be killed influence Arjuna's decision to fight?
Knowing the soul is immortal can help Arjuna overcome his fear of killing opponents, as their true essence—the soul—cannot be destroyed. This understanding encourages him to perform his duty without attachment or fear of harming the eternal self.
What philosophical view about life and death does this teaching on Arjuna convey?
The verse conveys a dualistic view separating the physical body from the eternal soul. It teaches that death affects only the body, not the soul, which transcends physical existence, offering a perspective that life and death are stages in a broader, continuous spiritual journey.
In Chapter 2, Verse 19, who is being addressed in this teaching on Arjuna, and what is the speaker's role?
The speaker is Lord Krishna, addressing Arjuna. Krishna acts as a divine guide, imparting spiritual wisdom to help Arjuna understand the true nature of the soul and encouraging him to fulfill his warrior duty without attachment or fear.
He who regardeth this as a slayer, and he who thinketh he is slain, both of them are ignorant. He slayeth not, nor is he slain.